Counterfeit ‘Xanax’ pills could cause dangerous overdose

Public health officials are warning that drug dealers are counterfeiting Xanax pills and selling them on the streets. The fake Xanax pills contain a lethal dose of fentanyl, and have already been responsible for a number of overdoses.

The latest warning comes from the Illinois State Police and Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing. The health warning is nothing new, and sadly, it must be repeated occasionally across the nation.

Sheriff Rohlfing said Xanax is one of the most abused prescriptions medications by people with addictions. "We want the public to be aware. We want everyone to know the current dangers of this drug trend." He added the fake pills contain a deadly mixture of an opioid called fentanyl.

In October 2015, a rash of overdoses sent a number of people in San Francisco to the hospital, where one person died. The culprit was fake Xanax bought on the street from drug dealers. According to CBS, there was an ongoing investigation into a number of high school students who had also overdosed on the street drug.

The counterfeit drug is apparently selling big on the streets is an almost perfect knock-off of the legitimately produced Xanax, used to treat severe panic attacks and panic disorders, and only available with a prescription. The fake pills containing fentanyl have been cleverly produced using a pill press, and they actually say "Xanax" on the pill, according to Aol.com.

Opioids are usually given to treat severe pain and are only prescribed under strict conditions because of their addictive properties and dangerous side effects, that include respiratory depression. "We know there is a dangerous counterfeit drug being sold on the street as Xanax, and people should be very careful and avoid the risk of overdose and death," said Tomás Aragón of the San Francisco Department of Health.

Argon told the Tech Times people should avoid buying any medications on the streets. "Under no circumstances should you accept medication from someone else, or purchase prescription medicine on the street," advised Argon.

Police and health officials say the fake "Xanax" has been found in 21 states so far, but really, it's just a matter of time before this latest fake drug is found in every state across the country.